The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-02


white stones of churchyard were sleeping
peacefully in the moonbeamsn
Well did know that quiet place. Often, dur
ing the long hours of q summers afternoon had
/ fingered there among the messy headstones,
gazing down upon the road and river below,
| twinng the roses that grew wild within the in
closures, or reading some favorite book as l sat
close whiting the shelter of the old wall. But
at night always avoided tit was lonely spot.
Il leaned over the erumbling wall" this
| strange man went on to say, land unused silent
| ly over the sleepers who were resting there.
How was it with them nowi How was it with
those whom had loved and lost2 Did they re-
member me in their home2 Had they one
| thought of him to whom their very memory
| was a torture, so deeply had he mourned their
| loss2
while asked myself these questions heard
step behind me. Turning quickly around.
saw tall man, dressed in black, coming toward
me. The door of the tomb was open-had he
| come from therel
He greeted me with easy familiarity, but
| there was something unearthly in his aspect
that could not answer him. His face was pale
| and thin, his hair long and black. and hanging
| upon his shoulders in neglected masses, his eyes
| black, gloomy and terrible. l thought of the
| mysterious picture in my study. Feature by
| feature it was reproduced here before me.
"'You may we'll be startled he said. with
careless laugh come from a suspicious local
| ity, but make yourself easy. Though l have
| just emerged from the tomb do not always
| dwell there. Do you still hesitate2 There is
4
| it2
HE stretched out white, thin and bloodless
| hand. A diamond ring OF great luster sparkled
| on one of the fingers. Ashamed of my momen-
| tary weakness, took it in mine. but dropped it
the next moment with shudder. 1t was as
/ cold ice.
! HE smiled sarcasticaily.
The air of that underground chamber yon-
der is famous for cooling the blood, believe
".But who are youl How came you thereg
! stammered. The door looked to me as if it never
could be opened
1.-The easiest thing in the world he said,
| carelessly. If you will step inside with me you
| will seq why l am there
1T was mad idea, but the strange adventure
thrilled me with kind of pleasure.
Lead on. / will follow you,' said.
4 eve went down two narrow, moss grown
steps. and stood within the entrance of the tomb
| In the vault beyond fire was burning beneath
| crucible, and several old and worm-eaten man
| uscripts were thrown carelessly around A
childs coffin was standing beside the fire, but it
was empty. and only used seat. Far back,
In the distance could the moist earth on the
| sides of the tomb, glisten in the duh light of
the dying fire, like countless eyes that were
! watching me.
my strange companion left me standing be-
side the door, and going forward. took the cruel
| BILE from the fire. He shook it, looked earnestly
into it, poured moulton mass from it into a
broad ever that stood by. and stirred the
| liquid metal with small rod of iron.
at is in vain | have failed again. | heard
|
| hands, and he sat down, listless and despondent,
| on the little coffin.
".You are An alchemist,' I said, suddenly,
thinking had found the clue to his choice of so
Yes he answered, looking up at me with
interest For fifty years l have been seeking
for that which shall turn all things to gold-and
l have never found it yet. But never mind, the
day must come, must come and will
He rose from his seat, raked the hot ashes
over the still glowing Goals put crucible and
carefully away, and led me out of the vault
With one push of his seemingly fragile hand he
set the iron door of the tomb in its socket and
fastened it. It still looked as if years had gone
by since it had been opened.
You have great strength, said, admiringy.
% And it has been employed in q good cause.
he answered, with hard laugh.
He fastened the last bolt, and turned away.
saying:
"'All is safe till I come again. No one will
ever think of looking there for any tidlngs of
me-
"Side by side took our way down the hill
and over the lonely grass grown road. We did
not speak till we reached the gate of my cottage
, yard. Then he paused and leaned over the fence
q moment.
"'You have pleasant home he said, looking
at the window where the taper was burning, in
readiness for my return.
81 like it, such it is. But it is late-wiil
you not rest beneath my roof to night2"
No. no; my way lies yonder,' he said, point
, ing by the old stone cross.
1t is q lonely road
at is. And strange stories are told of this
; house sometimes. Years ago. when you were
> boy, man was hung in the town yonder, and he
pointed over the hill He lived in this house
once and, would YOU believe it9 the fools viii
' have it that he is buried here where the cross
roads meet But you and know better
! He laughed a horrid laugh, and his eyes
i shown green and baneful as he turned them or
e me-
, eyes, we know better answered, quietly
q though my very blood seemed chilled within
i sHe wrung my hand in his cold fingers. NUT
e tered hasty goodnight. and strobe away.
l hurried along the path that led to the door. The
4 rusty lock delayed me moment, and when
e had opened the door and turned to look after
4 him. ne had gone! The moon shone clear and
. | bright road, and tree and hill, but of hin
J there was no sign. laid down that night with
l an unquiet heart
9 Mystery was around me. Which ever way
turned my steps something puzzled, and per
Q picked and haunted me- The old house itself
Il which had thought quiet, was full of sounds
f As . sat in my study, absorbed in favorit.
I book, could hear steps upon the loose boards o
the upper floor. or dismal knocks from the eel
= lar. as if some one was mailing a coffin there
Into these regions l had never penetrated.
d had use for them, and had hardly deemed
a them worth my notice. But now that the Low
d whisperings, which had at first attributed t
!, the winds, became audible even whenever tn
It winds were hushed; now that could distinctl.
o hear something lift the latch of my bedroom
q | door anu btep drouuU tuo FOom, tUOuRu at tn
same time my straining eyes could discern moth
II ing in the gloom, thought it best to search on
y everything and know what had about me-
Is while was preparing matches. tapers an
# some other necessaries. on the morning had de
g. voted to the investigation. quick knock cam
at the door. l opened it. half fearing my ghos,
N ~ friend, the image of the picture, would stan
before me. But In his place stou,
s rudy, hale old mantle proprietor Of the place
le who had come to see how liked my new quar-
10 tiers. welcomed him gladly He was a stern
q. matter fact, practical old fellow. In hi
10 presence / could be calm, and quiet, and COO
( There was nothing about him to bewilder an
q mystify me, but much to make me more llk
< myself than had been for days before.